Garment hanger



April 13, 1954 J. J. PODELL GARMENT HANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25 1951 .III

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INVENTOR. firm I Ede]! J. PODELL GARMENT HANGER April 13, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25 1951 u m vi WEE H| l I mum INVENTOR. farm IP04!!! Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT HANGER Jacob J. Podcll, New York, N. Y.

Application September 25, 1951, Serial No. 248,186

12 Claims.

.by the cuffs, in inverted position.

Various types of garment hangers and trouser .hangers have been devised. Many have been unduly complicated and too impracticable to go into commercial manufacture and sale, and others have. been of such faulty design that they fail to securely grip and hold a garment or other article against slipping out and dropping onto the floor, particularly after the hanger has been in use for a time. Still others have been objectionable in that they required an undue amount of study and instruction before a person was able to operate them.

The present invention aims to overcome the above and other difliculties or disadvantages by providing a new and improved garment hanger of relatively simple construction and operation,

which securely grips a garment against unintentional release, and yet which quickly releases its grip upon actuation of a relatively simple release mechanism.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved garment hanger.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved garment hanger which is particularly adapted to grip and hold the cuff portions of a pair of trousers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trouser hanger of relatively simple construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved trouser and coat hanger.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a trouser hanger embodying operation means that may be. readily operated to close and open its trouser gripping portions.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment aboutto be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the artupon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the trouser sup porting portion of the hanger shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the trouser supporting device shown in Fig. 1, with a pair of trousers ripped thereby;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the trouser supporting device of the present invention with its clamping jaws fully open;

' Fig. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing the trouser hanger with its jaws open; and

Fig. 8 is an end view, partly in section, showing the trouser hanger of the present invention with a supporting hook directly connected thereto.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a hanger comprising a coat-hanging portion 2 having a supporting hook 4 and carrying at its underside a trouser hanger 5. The trouser hanger is secured adjacent its opposite end portions to the underside of the coat supporting portion 2 and is illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 2 through 6. i

As shown in Figs. 2-6, the trouser hanger por tion comprises what for convenience will be termed a base member 1 of any suitable length, to opposite end portions of which are secured upwardly extending brackets 8 of suitableshape. or design. The brackets may be riveted or otherwise secured to the base member I and extend upwardly for permanent or temporary connection with the coat-supporting portion 2 or any other movable or fixed structure. The means shown gripping the cuff or bottom ends of a pair of trousers comprises a downwardly extending bar member or plate member I0, at opposite sides of which are located clamping jaw members H and I2, all of any suitable length. The bar mem T ber I0 is movable up and down, by an operating mechanism to be hereinafter described, and is operatively connected with the jaw members H and I2 so that the latter members move toward the bar member during its upward movement and move away from the bar member during its downward movement. Hence during upward movement of the bar member [0 both. jaws H and 12 come together to grip one trouser cuff placed between the bar member and jaw member H, and'the other trouser cuff placed between the bar memberand the opposite jaw member I2. Release of the trouser cuffs occurs when the bar vmember I0 moves downwardly and the clamping jawsll and I2 spread apart with respect to the bar member.

The clamping jaws H and I2 are operatively interconnected by cross-bars l4 and 15,. secured to opposite ends of the center bar member Ii). The upper ends of the clamping jaws ill and I2 are provided with integrally formed operating arms I3. One operating arm [9 is preferably provided at each end of each jaw member I l and I2, and the upper end of the arm may have an aperture 20 therein which extends about a pin 2 I that projects inwardly from the crossbar; if desired the aperture may be provided in the crossbars l4, l5 and the pins on the arm l9. Each of the clamping jaws H and I2 is thus rotatably supported at its opposite ends by the spaced crossbars land It. The arms 19 preferably extend through openings or slots 95!. in laterally projecting flanges 80f the base member 1. Each of the arms is has adjacent its upper portion a projecting lug 23 for contacting a portionof a flange 9. Each lug 23 insures pivoting of a respective arm I9 and a respective connecting jaw about the supporting pins 2| as the central bar member H! approaches a lowermost position, as will be hereinafter described.

As the central bar H1 .moves downwardly from the position illustrated inFigs. and 5, :the crossbars I4 and I5 are also moved adownward'ly and th latter carry with them the depending amns l9 and jaw members H and '12. During. this downward movement lower portions of '-.the jawsupporting arms &3 move out of the slotslda'irrfthe base member 1 Land the jawsare free tougradually move away from the central :barmember Hi;

When the laterally projecting lugs 23 at :the

upper ends of the arms 129 strike adjacent stationary portions 25 of the :base member 1, the arms are forced positively to rotate outwardly about their retaining pins '21 and :the jaws are spread in positive manner outwardly away from the central bar'member :10. In this relationship articles, .for example, the ends of :a :pair of trousers, maybe freely placed. between the jaw members and opposite faces of the central bar member [0. Preferably each of the jaw members H and l z'hasan.enlargedgrippingface, H and .12, respectively, for clamping against .a trouser cuff to hold it in position. These gripping faces and the faces at opposite sides of the central member I 6 may be slightly roughened 'ato give animproved gripxonzthetrousers.

After insertion of the ends of the trouser "legs between the central bar and the respective outer clamping jaws H and 12, "the central :bar may be moved upwardly. As the bar l0 moves upwardly it carrieswith it the crossbars 1M and 15' and the clamping jaws H and 12 which :are rotatably connected therewith. the crossbars l4 and lift the connecting arms i9, outer faces 26 of the latter move along'inwardly facing edges 28 of the openings 22 in the base member I; as the arms I9 continue their upward movement a camm'ing action takes place which directs the arms [9 and their connected jaws "H and I2 inwardly toward the central member. The inward movement may be facilitated'by'having the outer edge 28 inclined as shown so that as it moves upwardly there is an increased tendency to force thev farms and jaws inwardly; When the central member and jaws, together with their interconnecting portions, reachan upper position such asillust'rated in Fig. 5, the portions 2 4 of a pair of trousers are firmly held between adjacent gripping faces of the hanger.

Up .and down movement of the central-member to close or open the clamping jaws H and i2 may be provided by a screw type operating means. As shown, for example in Figs. 3 and 4, the stationary base member E has secured thereto an upwardly extending hollow member or sleeve 31 which contains the operating screw means: An exteriorly threaded member 3211s secured by a pin 35 to an appropriate portion'of the central member and a hollow interiorly threaded member engages with the exteriorly threaded member 32. The interiorly threaded member. 35:

is provided with an annular recess 31 into which projects a portion of the stationary outer hollow sleeve 3|. This interfitting recess and projection hold the outer sleeve 3| and interiorly threaded hollow member 35 against endwise movement with respect to each other and permit rotation of the interiorly threaded member. To facilitate such rotation the upper end of the threaded member 35 may be provided with an enlarged operating head or knob 50.

As the operating head 40 is turned in one direction its threaded interconnection with the exteriorly threaded screw 32 causes the latter to move-downwardly. Since this member 32 is secured to the central bar member ID the latter member also moves downwardly and the clamping, jaws open, as previously brought out. When the "operating head 40 is rotated in an opposite direction the inner threaded member 32 is caused to move upwardly within the interiorly threaded member.:3.5,.t1o thus. raise'the central 'bar member In and-bring the clamping jaws inwardly toward it, so as "to grip 'a portion of a garment.

Whezrthe jaws :l l and 1.2 are in clamping position against .a portion of agarment, as illustrated for example inFig. '5, the operating knob 01' .head'il may be released and the jaws remain in the adjusted clamping position. There is no tendency for the weight of the garment :to open the .jawsand let the :garment fall -;on the floor. The operating knob *4 be readily turned'r-and. the very nature of the device makes :it obvious to a person how it should be used; the natural tendency is for a person to'turn'the knob which T is disposed clear of any clamping parts and is in such position that it may beeasily rotated To further bring out the manner of operation, the knob 40 may be provided with knurling; when a person sees that the lamb is :knurled it is'even mor obvious to him that the knurl is applied so that one may grasp androtate the lamb with his fingers.

As previously referred to, the trouser supporting portion of the present hanger maybe secured to the underside of the "coat supporting portion 2 by brackets 8. In this relationship the operatingknob 40 is so disposed that it may bereadily turned to grip or release a pair of trousers. After a pair of trousers is inserted and gripped [between the jaws and central member acoat may be placed over the upper portion 2, and the entirehanger supported in the usual manner by the hook 4. r

In Fig. 8 the present invention is shown without the coat-supporting portion 2. The trouser hanger device shown in this latter figure has a supportinghook e4 secured to the threaded member 32a. to therebyifacilitate hanging the device on a closetcrossbar tor the like; In thisiform off-the invention the supporting brackets .6 shown in Fig; lmay beomitted. Most men own a greaternum ber of pairs of trousers than they do complete suits and hence they may desire to have a number ofv trouser hangers without the upper coat supporting part shown in Fig. 2. The device in Fig. 8 is designed to supply this requirement.

It is believed that the operation of the present garment hanger will be clear from the foregoing description and the drawings "and hence it is not being repeated at this time.

It will be seen that the present invention pro-. vides a new wd improved hanger of relatively simple construction and operation which is adapted to hold agarment, 1a pair-of trousers, towels, or other articles of anys'sort firmly in position and which is adapted to be operated by persons of average intelligence without the need of special instructions. The hanger may be constructed entirely of metal parts suitably riveted, welded, or otherwise joined together or it may be made of wood, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. For example, the central member if], clamping jaws l l and i2, and base member I may be made of wood in order to conserve metal.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An article hanger comprising a bar member, a separate jaw member at each side of said bar member, means operatively interconnecting said members for closing movement of the jaw members with respect to the bar member to grip an article therebetween, means for freely engaging said jaw members mounted for reciprocation with respect to said bar member, means operatively connected with said bar member and said jaw engaging means for reciprocatin said jaw engaging means with respect to said bar member.

2. A garment and article hanger comprising a downwardly extending bar member, a jaw member at one side of said bar member, means including a crossbar secured to and extending laterally from said bar member operatively connected with said jaw member for moving the jaw member toward the bar member to grip a portion of a garment or article between said members, additional jaw moving means mounted for reciprocation with respect to said bar member, means operatively connected with said bar member and said additional jaw movin means for reciprocating said additional jaw moving means with respect to said bar member.

3. A hanger having a base member, support means projecting from said base member, a bar member extending longitudinally of said base member, said bar member mounted for relative movement with respect to said base member, means for relatively moving said members toward and away from each other, a retaining jaw extending generally longitudinally of said members, means swingably connecting said retaining jaw with a first one of said members and means on the other member engageable with portions of said jaw for movement toward and away from said first member durin relative movement of said bar and base members.

4. In a garment hanger having upwardly extending means for suspending the hanger from a support, a base member carried thereby, a bar member extending along said base member, means operatively connecting said members for relative movement generally toward and away from each other, a clamping jaw pivoted to one of said members for swinging movement toward and away from said member, and means carried by the other member adapted to operably engage said jaw during said relative movement of the members to swing the jaw to close and open a garment-gripping mouth between said iaw and the member to which it is pivoted.

5. In a garment hanger having means for suspending the hanger from a support, a base member carried thereby, a bar member extending along said base member, means operatively connecting said members for relative movement generally toward and away from each other, a clamping jaw movably mounted on said bar member for swinging movement toward and away from said bar member, and means carried by said base member adapted to operably engage said jaw during said relative movement of the members to swing the jaw to close and open a garment-gripping mouth between said jaw and said bar member.

6. In a hanger for garments and the like having means for suspending the hanger from a support, a base member carried by said means, a bar member extending along said base member, a clamping jaw generally parallel to said bar member, and an arm rigidly extending from said jaw and pivotally connected said said bar member for swingin movement toward and away from the bar member, a portion of said base member being adapted to operably engage said arm during said swinging movement to close and open a gripping mouth between said jaw and said bar member.

'7. A hanger as claimed in claim 6, in which said portion of the base member comprises a surface thereof adjacent an edge of said arm and engageable therewith during said swinging movement for directing said arm and jaw toward the bar member.

8. A hanger as claimed in claim 6-, in which said arm has an inclined surface at one edge thereof and said portion of the base member comprises a surface thereof adjacent said inclined surface and engageable therewith during said swinging movement for directing said arm and jaw toward the bar member.

9. A garment hanger comprising a base structure, a bar member connected to the base structure for vertical reciprocation with respect to the base structure, means for reciprocating said bar member with respect to the base structure, a clamping jaw extending generally parallel to said bar member and pivotally connected thereto and having an inclined camming surface and a surface formed on said base structure and contacting a. portion of said inclined camming surface for directing the jaw to swing about said pivotal connection toward the bar member to clamp a portion of a garment against the bar member upon reciprocation of said bar member.

10. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 9, in which a clamping jaw is provided at each side of the bar member and in which a surface is provided on said base member for directing each clamping jaw toward the bar member.

11. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 9, in which the pivotal connection of the jaw to the bar member includes an arm on said jaw, and in which said arm contacts a portion of the base structure to insure opening movement of the jaw with respect to the bar member upon reciprocation of the latter.

12. A hanger as claimed in claim 9, in which the means for reciprocating the bar member with respect to the base structure comprises a first threaded member secured to and extending upwardly from the bar member and a rotatable threaded member in engagement with the first threaded member and operatively connected with said base structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,126,342 Bailey Jan. 26, 1915 1,524,810 Bolen Feb. 3, 1925 

